Dirty Dozen Brass Band What’s Going On

Dirty Dozen Brass Band
What’s Going On
Shout Factory

Like others from their home city of New Orleans, the members of The Dirty Dozen Brass Band have been greatly affected by the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. They recorded this new album with some friends which reinterprets the classic Marvin Gaye album on a recording that is very relevant in light of the catastrophic events of last year in which the band members, like so many, lost their homes, and so much more.

More than their homes, they were distressed about the loss of their communities and personal treasures; photo albums and mementos of their travels were all destroyed. “I’m not talking about clothes and shoes and material things, but family albums,” says Roger Lewis. “I have a 7-year old daughter. I had pictures of myself as a child, but I can’t share them with her because they were destroyed. All she’s really going to know is her dad as a 64-year-old man.”

The album opens with Chuck D rapping on the title track with a justified bitterness as the Dozen provides a sobering backing with Revert Andrews contributing a strong trombone solo. This is followed by a Betty Lavette take on "What’s Happening Brother" as she sings “Are things really getting better like the newspaper says ... I just don’t understand what’s going on in this land ... will the Tigers win the pennant, do they stand a chance ...” with the tenor sax reaching to the higher registers behind her. "Flyin’ High (In The Friendly Sky)," is taken at a medium tempo with a rather nice rendering of it before the tempo picks up as the members chant “Help Me Somebody,” with some nice spirited playing as the tune rides out. Some nice trumpet leads "Save the Children" which also includes some nice sax work including Roger Lewis’ baritone, and original member Kirk Joseph provides a foundation on the sousaphone and Jamie Mclean’s guitar brings African flavoring and rhythm. Ivan Neville guests on God Is Love, as Joseph and Lewis add the deep bottom behind his vocal as the brass punctuate the lyrics. G. Love raps the lyrics "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)" with the Dozen providing a sharp funk groove before they get another groove going on "Right On," as Revert Andrews takes the lead on trombone prior to Kevin Harris’ tenor sax. The last instrumental, "Holy Holy," is rendered almost as a funeral dirge before they conclude with Guru rapping on "Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)," concluding a very thoughtful and moving recording.

A portion of the proceeds from this CD will be donated to the Tiptina’s Foundation, benefiting the musical community of New Orleans.

I am not sure if I received from Shout Factory or a publicist. This review originally appeared in the October 2006 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 287). I made a couple minor corrections. Here the Dirty Dozen performs "What's Going On."

 

Dirty Dozen Asks What's Going On

With JazzFest having concluded this past weekend, it is worth looking back at an album the Dirty Dozen, one of the pioneering bands of the modern Brass Band scene issued after Hurricane Katrina with their interpretation of a classic Marvin Gaye album. This review originally appeared in the October 2006 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 287). I purchased the CD.

Like others from their home city of New Orleans, the members of The Dirty Dozen Brass Band have been greatly affected by the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. With some friends they have their new album, What’s Going On, (Shout Factory), which reinterprets the classic Marvin Gaye album on a recording that is very relevant in light of the catastrophic events of last year in which the band members, like so many, lost their homes, and so much more.

More than their homes, they were distressed about the loss of their communities and personal treasures; photo albums and mementos of their travels were all destroyed. “I’m not talking about clothes and shoes and material things, but family albums,” says Roger Lewis. “I have a 7-year-old daughter. I had pictures of myself as a child, but I can’t share them with her because they were destroyed. All she’s really going to know is her dad as a 64-year-old man.”

The album opens with Chuck D rapping on the title track with a justified bitterness as the Dozen provides a sobering backing with Revert Andrews contributing a strong trombone solo. This followed by Betty Lavette take on What’s Happening Brother as she sings “Are things really getting better like the newspaper says … I just don’t understand what’s going on in this land … will the Tigers win the pennant, do they stand a chance …” with the tenor sax reaching to the higher registers behind her. Flyin' High (In The Friendly Sky), is taken at a medium tempo with a rather nice rendering of it before the tempo picks up as the members chant “Help Me Somebody,” with some nice spirited playing as the tune rides out. Nice trumpet leads Save the Children which also includes some nice sax work including Roger Lewis’ baritone, original member Kirk Joseph provides a foundation on the sousaphone and Jamie Mclean’s guitar brings African flavoring and rhythm. Ivan Neville guests on God Is Love, as Joseph and Lewis add the deep bottom behind his vocal as the brass punctuate the lyrics. G. Love raps the lyrics Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) with the Dozen providing a sharp funk groove before the Dozen get a groove going on Right On, as Revert Andrews takes the lead on trombone prior to Kevin Harris’ tenor sax. The last instrumental, Wholy Holy, is rendered almost as a funeral dirge before they conclude with Guru rapping on Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler), concluding a very thoughtful and moving recording.

A portion of the proceeds from this CD will be donated to the Tiptina’s Foundation, benefiting the musical community of New Orleans.

1st Weekend JazzFest Suggestions From One Who Cannot Be There

D.L. Menard
Photo © Ron Weinstock

A comment to a post on this blog requested if I had any recommendations for JazzFest this year and then Steve Kiviat, who is associated with the Washington City Paper, mentioned he was going to JazzFest for the first weekend and it was the first time in six years. He knew most of the funk acts and brass bands so he requested some other suggestions including any idea about Luther Kent and Ernie Vincent. I replied to Steve by email and am using my response to him as the basis for some Festival recommendations and excluding the most obvious big stage and soul acts like Bruce Springsteen and Al Green.

Evan Christopher - Photo © Ron Weinstock

I have not seen Ernie Vincent who is in the Blues Tent as is Luther Kent (who I have seen and is real good). However, Luther is opposite Evan Christopher who will be in the WWOZ Jazz Tent. Evan’s new Clarinet Road CD, In Sidney’s Footsteps (STR Digital) is superb.

Of special note on Friday, Stephanie Jordan and her Big Band is doing a tribute to Lena Horne and will be followed by Pancho Sanchez with Terence Blanchard.The Blues Tent becomes over-crowded but early on Friday it has legendary pianist Henry Grey followed by the former Clifton Chenier guitarist Lil Buck Sinigal. The New Orleans Revue on the Acura Stage Friday has Frankie Ford, Robert ‘Barefootin’ Parker, and Al ‘Carnival Time’ Johnson looks real good and they will be followed by The Dixie-Cups. Frankie Ford remains a terrific entertainer. The Fais Do Do Stage which features cajun and zydeco always has some good music with an exceptional lineup on Friday with Geno Delafose and Beausoleil standing out. Butch Thompson will be doing a Jelly Roll Morton tribute in the Economy Hall Tent and Irma Thomas will be doing her Mahalia Jackson Tribute in the Gospel tent.

Brother Tyrone
Photo © Ron Weinstock

On Saturday, Brother Tyrone (If You Ain’t Cheating, You Ain’t Trying) is soul-blues in Blues Tent and recommend him along with Wolfman Washington at that venue. In the WWOZ Jazz Tent I already have mentioned Evan Christopher and Clarinet Road, but also check out Irving Mayfield's New Orleans Jazz Orchestra features some terrific compositions and soloists. Closing in the Blues Tent will be a Tribute to Wardell Querzergue featuring The Dixie Cups, Robert “Barefootin’” Parker and Tony Owens. D.L. Menard (the Cajun Hank Williams), the Savoy Music Center Jam and the terrific Pine Leaf Boys will be on the Fais Do Do Stage, along with a non-cajun act, the Carolina Chocolate Drops. Shamarr Allen (Meet Me On Frenchmen Street) is on the Gentilly Stage early in the day.The Voice of the Wetlands All Stars (Tab Benoit, Dr. John, Cyril Neville, Anders Osborne, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, Johnny Vidacovich, Johnny Sansone and Waylon Thibodeaux are on the Acura Stage before Tom Petty.

Stephanie Jordan
Photo © Ron Weinstock

On Sunday, Dr. John and Trombone Shorty are featured on the .Acura Stage but fans of New Orleans funk should also check out Papa Grows Funk on the Gentilly Stage (overlaps Dr. John) as well as The Batiste Brothers whom will be on Congo Square (overlap with trombone Shorty). Must see in Economy Hall is Lionel Ferbos who will be celebrating his 101st Birthday soon, and The Treme Brass Band. In the WWOZ Jazz Tent, Ellis Marsalis makes his festival appearance, the great Diane Reeves will sing and Nicholas Payton leads a fascinating trio which includes Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts on drums. In the Blues Tent Corey Harris & Phil Wiggins make perform some fascinating acoustic blues followed by the JazzFest return of Ironing Board Sam, once a JazzFest mainstay. Also in the Blues Tent is Gary Clark, Jr, who has been getting lot of well-deserved press recently. Kirk Joseph's Tuba Tuba on the Jazz and Heritage Stage sounds really fascinating as he leads a group of New Orleans finest Tuba players. Highlights on the Fais Do Do Stage on Sunday are Steve Riley and Hadley Castille, while guitarist Spencer Bohren performs on the Lagniappe Stage.

So that is my specific recommendations including some you may have not considered. Have a great Fest. I will post recommendations for the second weekend May 1 or 2.

Papa John Gros of Papa Grows Funk
Photo © Ron Weinstock

New Orleans' Icon Grandpa Elliott's Sweet Street Blues

This review is several months old, but during the broadcast on NBC of the NFL season opener between the saints and the Vikings, at one point they showed Trombone Shorty and Grandpa Elliott jamming in the French Quarter. This review originally appeared in the May 2010 Jazz & Blues Report (issue 324) and the review copy was provided by a publicist for the record label.



Playing for Change, according to its website (http://www.playingforchange.com), began a decade ago, the brainchild of Grammy-winning music producer and engineer Mark Johnson. Utilizing innovative mobile audio/video techniques, it records musicians outdoors in cities and townships worldwide. 


For ten years, Johnson and his team traveled the globe, with a single-minded passion to record little-known musicians for what would become Playing for Change - its name evoking the coins thrown to street musicians as well as the transformation their music inspires. They have had a documentary on public television try to bring peace and positive change through music. Through Timeless Media they have an arrangement with Concord Music Group to issue some of the music they document from South Africa to Santa Monica to New Orleans, in the case of their newest release by Grandpa Elliott “Sugar Sweet,” (Playing For Change).


In September, 2006, they came to New Orleans as that city was in the beginning of its recovery from Hurricane Katrina to find Grandpa Elliott. Grandpa Elliott is a fixture of the French Quarter scene, regularly seen singing and playing harmonica on the street at the corner of Royal and Toulouse. While much of what Playing For Change does brings the studio to the street, in this case they did a studio recording session with the Playing For Change Band in Spring 2009 which was led by Reggie McBride on bass and included musicians from around the world with the guitars of Louis Mhlanga andJason Tamba, the keyboards of Michael Thompson, the drums of Peter Bunetta and the djembe of Mohammad Alidu worth notting. There are also guest appearances from Keb’ ‘Mo, Joe Krown and Kirk Joseph.


Elliott has a wonderful voice as he sings a variety of mostly blues & R&B classics including Bobby Bland’s “Ain’t Nothing You Can Do,” Jimmy Reed’s “Baby What You Want Me To Do,” Little Milton’s “We Gonna Make It,” and Sam Cooke’s “Another Saturday Night.” While Bland sings the opening song as someone suffering heartbreak, Elliott’s warm, rich vocal, set against an Afro-Caribbean groove is reassuring in tone, which also falls into the mood of the lyric of “Share Your Love,” another song from the Bland songbook as well as his wonderful reading of “We’re Gonna Make It,” with a soulful country tinge and a nice harmonica solo that owes as much to jazz players as Little Walter. “Sugar Is Sweet,” is a Caribbean a slightly saccharine love song that gives this disc its title. 


There is a spirited live club recording of Buster Brown’s “Fannie Mae,” followed by a rendition of Charles Brown’s “Please Come Home For Christmas,” backed by Joe Krown on Wurlitzer piano and Kirk joseph on tuba that concludes this somewhat short (37 and a half minutes) but thoroughly engaging recording.